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The term "silent majority" first originated under [[Republican Party|Republican]] U.S. president [[Richard Nixon]]. Although it was Nixon who first used the phrase, it was his speechwriter, [[Pat Buchanan]], who actually created it.<ref>Alberta, Tim (2017). [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/04/22/pat-buchanan-trump-president-history-profile-215042 ‘The Ideas Made It, But I Didn’t’]. ''Politico Magazine'' (May/June 2017 edition). Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref>

The term "silent majority" first originated under [[Republican Party|Republican]] U.S. president [[Richard Nixon]]. Although it was Nixon who first used the phrase, it was his speechwriter, [[Pat Buchanan]], who actually created it.<ref>Alberta, Tim (2017). [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/04/22/pat-buchanan-trump-president-history-profile-215042 ‘The Ideas Made It, But I Didn’t’]. ''Politico Magazine'' (May/June 2017 edition). Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref>

Nixon, who was elected [[President of the United States|president]] in [[United States presidential election, 1968|1968]], promised an end to the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="CHNM">[https://chnm.gmu.edu/hardhats/silent.html Nixon's "Silent Majority" Speech]. ''chnm.gmu.edu''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> After he assumed office, Nixon decided against a quick withdrawal, as it would severely damage international trust and confidence in American leadership.<ref name="CHNM"/> However, [[liberal]] antiwar activists, who wanted a quick withdrawal regardless of its effects, were very unhappy and vocal in their unhappiness, staging at least one major protest in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref name="CHNM"/>

Nixon, who was elected [[President of the United States|president]] in [[United States presidential election, 1968|1968]], promised an end to the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="CHNM">[https://chnm.gmu.edu/hardhats/silent.html Nixon's "Silent Majority" Speech]. ''chnm.gmu.edu''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> After he assumed office, Nixon decided against a quick withdrawal, as it would severely damage international trust and [[confidence]] in American leadership.<ref name="CHNM"/> However, [[liberal]] antiwar activists, who wanted a quick withdrawal regardless of its effects, were very unhappy and vocal in their unhappiness, staging at least one major protest in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref name="CHNM"/>

On November 3, 1969, Nixon gave a major speech to call for national unity and explain his plan for [[Vietnamization]]—to reduce U.S. troop presence in the country until either true peace could be achieved or until the [[South Vietnamese]] could defend themselves.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-calls-on-the-silent-majority Nixon calls on the “silent majority” - Nov. 3, 1969 - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> At the end of his speech, Nixon called on the "great silent majority" to support his plan.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History"/>

On November 3, 1969, Nixon gave a major speech to call for national unity and explain his plan for [[Vietnamization]]—to reduce U.S. troop presence in the country until either true peace could be achieved or until the [[South Vietnamese]] could defend themselves.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-calls-on-the-silent-majority Nixon calls on the “silent majority” - Nov. 3, 1969 - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> At the end of his speech, Nixon called on the "great silent majority" to support his plan.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History"/>